Re-registration

This service is available free of charge to those individuals who fulfill one of the following requirements:

If the birth parents of the child have subsequently married or registered their civil partnership after the birth or still-birth was registered

The original entry of the birth or still-birth is affected by a Register or Corrections regarding paternity. (Father has legally acknowledged he is the father and now requires his details also to be shown on a birth entry and subsequent certificate

The original entry of birth or still-birth implies the child was found exposed

In addition to adding the father's details or the parent's marriage information, this process also allows for a change of surname to that of either parent. (It will not allow a change of forename unless the forename is that of either parent) i.e. Mary Smith Brown is registered to mother Mary Brown, Smith being the father's surname. If the birth is re-registered and the child is subsequently given the father's surname then she would become Mary Smith Smith!! unless the middle forename is removed.

After the re-registration, the original entry is sealed and no further access would be allowed. Thereafter a birth certificate would be issued from the new entry with the required changes - a statutory fee for the certificate is payable.

If you think this may be suitable for you, please call to discuss with a Registrar who will advise and guide you through the process (refer to Contacts section of the page).

Municipal Buildings

These spectacular, Italianate buildings were finished in 1886 and the Victoria Tower can be seen dominating the skyline. The buildings remain uncompleted to this day as a local man, Robert Cowan, refused to sell his business in front of the tower. As a result, his shop was inserted into one corner but was destroyed during a bombing raid in 1941, leaving the unusual effect still seen today. This area has become known as 'Cowan's Corner'. These days the Municipal Buildings include the Town Hall and various Council offices.